Illuminating apparatus.



C. M. AXFURD.

ILLUMINA'HNG APPARATUS.

APPLICATION FILED OCT. 9| I914.

Patented Feb. 15, 1916.

Fig.2.

Inventor: Charles M.9 Tx 0rd, W

1 His fitter-hes.

Witnesses:

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

CHARLES M. AxFoni), or CHICAGO, ILLINOIS, ASSIGNOR TO GENERAL ELECTRIC COMPANY, A CORPORATION or NEW YORK.

ILLUMINATING APPARATUS.

Application filed October 9, 1914.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, CHARLES M. Axronn, a citizen of the United States, residing at Chicago, county of Cook, State of Illinois, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Illuminating Apparatus, of which the following is a specification.

My invention relates to illuminating apparatus, and more particularly to the illumination of flags, banners and other display surfaces that shift with the wind.

It is myaim to provide automatically for the proper illumination of such display surfaces in spite of changes in the direction of the wind without necessity for any but the occasional attention that would always be required by the particular light source employed in any particular case. Accordingly, I arrange the illuminating means for throwing or projecting light upon the flag or the like adjacent its hoist or staff end in such a way that the same may turn with the flag when the wind shifts.

I have herein shown and described in de' tail the best form of. apparatus for the purpose of my invention at present known to me as specially adapted to the illumination of an ordinary flag or banner, but it will be understood that my invention is applicable in connection with various sorts of display surfaces, and-that it can becarried out and embodied in various forms of apparatus.

In the accompanying drawing, Figure 1 is a side view of a flag and theapparatus for illuminating it in accordance with my invention, one of the parts being in section; and Fig. 2 is a plan view.

The upright flag-staff shown comprises a pole 01' mast 1 and a rod 2 secured in its upper end. The illuminating means 3 comprises a vertical trough-likereflector 4 having at its ends brackets 5 and 6 by' which it is vertically pivoted so that when the ind shifts it may turn in proper relation to the flag 7. As shown. the lower bracket 5 has a boss through which the rod 2 extends. and the upper bracket 6 has a similar boss through which extends a separate pivot pin 8 that carries the usual ornamental ball .9 and is secured in'the upper end of the rod. In the present case the light source of the illuminating means 3 consists of a number of incandescent electric lamps 1O arranged in proper relation to the reflector 4.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Feb. 15, 1916.

Serial No. 865,842.

As shown, these lamps 10 are mounted in sockets 11 secured in the reflector at, there being one set of lamps for lighting each side of the flag 7.

The circuit wires for the lamps 10 are arranged in conduits 12 on the back of the reflector 4, and current is supplied them without interference with the turning of the reflector by means of contact rings 13 on the upper end of the mast 1 and brushes 11 on the bracket It will be understood, of course, that the form or curvature of the reflector 4 will in each particular case be chosen to give the most suitable distribution of the light on the surface of the flag, the particular form shown being merely illustrative.

\Vhile various arrangements may be adopted, as shown the flag 7 is not arranged to be raised and lowered by halliards in the usual way, but is permanently secured to lugs 15 on the hubs of the brackets 5 and 6. \Vhile this mode of securing the flag 7 would in itself serve as a means for turning the reflector 4 with the flag when the wind shifts. I prefer not to rely on this means alone, but to provide a vane 16 secured to the bracket 6 so as to turn the reflector with but independently of the flag.

\Vhat I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent of the United States, is,

1. The combination with a vertically flying flag, of means for projecting light upon said flag to illuminate it mounted at the staff end of the flag and turning with the same when the wind shifts.

2. The combination of a vertically flying flag, means for projecting light upon said flag to illuminate it vertically pivoted at the staff end thereof, and means for turn-- ing the illuminating means with the flag when the wind shifts.

3. The combination of a vertically flying flag, means for projecting light upon said flag to illuminate it vertically pivoted at the staff end thereof, and means associated with said illuminating means for turning the same with but independently of the flag when the wind shifts.

4. The combination of a vertically flying flag, means for illuminating said flag including a reflector vertically pivoted at the staff end thereof and electric lamps mounted and arranged in proper relation to said retively with the staff and the reflector, and vane means associated with said illuminating means for turning the same in proper relation to the flag when'the wind shifts.

In Witness whereof, I have hereunto set my'hand this fourteenth day of September,

CHARLES M. AXFORD. \Vitnesses:

DEAN TREAT, EDWIN M. HAWLEY. 

